Less Like Scars

I was thunderstruck yesterday when listening to a Sara Groves song in the car called “Less Like Scars.” I have never had the experience of thinking a song was written for me, but this one takes the cake. This song is now a personal treasure so I thought I’d post the lyrics below.

In other news … I’ve completed 4 of 12 “chemo lite” rounds and it’s cool to be 1/3 of the way into this regimen. For the most part, I’m feeling well but am still healing a bit from my minor surgery two weeks ago (the healing process takes longer when you’re on chemo). Chris’ cousin Amanda leaves on Wednesday and we’re all going to miss her a ton. Lastly, we figured out today that my favorite chemo nurse lives right around the corner from our house and has three kids around the same ages as ours. What a cool thing the Lord seems to be doing.

Thanks for checking in with us! Love, Sara

Less Like Scars

It’s been a hard year
But I’m climbing out of the rubble
These lessons are hard
Healing changes are subtle
But every day it’s…

Less like tearing more like building
Less like captive more like willing
Less like breakdown more like surrender
Less like haunting more like remember

And I feel you here
And you’re picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
look less like scars and more like character

Less like a prison more like my room
Less like a casket more like a womb
Less like dying more like transcending
Less like fear, less like an ending

Just a little while ago
I couldn’t feel the power or the hope
I couldn’t cope, I couldn’t feel a thing
Just a little while back
I was desperate, broken, laid out
Hoping you would come

And I need you
And I want you here
And I feel you…

And I feel you here
And you’re picking up the pieces
Forever faithful
It seemed out of my hands a bad situation
But you are able
And in your hands the pain and hurt
look less like scars
And more like character

To listen Click Here

The Rescuer

Over the past 5 months the Lord has used Scripture as well as a number of great books to speak tenderly to me and to teach me about his character. One of the books that has deeply affected me has been our children’s Bible, “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This version of the Bible beautifully goes through many stories and speaks at a child’s level. It also takes well-known Scripture and puts it in different language, which can wake you up and see truth from a different angle. My special love for this book probably tells you a lot about my need to review the basics right now!

To silence and move me, the Lord has especially used a certain name for Jesus. He is repeatedly called The Rescuer. And God’s redemptive plan through Christ is called the “Secret Rescue Plan.” I have become so used to referring to Jesus and his salvation by other terms that these terms have caused me to think long and hard. Because to be quite honest, I sometimes forget that I need rescuing. I know full-well that I need rescuing from my cancer, but the “cancer of my heart” (sin) required a much larger rescue plan. This rescue is God’s first priority in my life, even though he cares deeply about my body as well.

If I can borrow our pastor Tom’s thoughts from a recent sermon … all it took were Christ’s words to create this incredible planet and creatures with all their diversity. But it took Christ’s blood to rescue (or redeem) his children. One flick of God’s wrist to create the galaxy—death on a cross to rescue. This was God’s secret rescue plan all along so that we could run toward him rather than from him.

The Lord has been using my cancer experience to teach me more about His great rescue plan. May the Rescuer also use life’s experiences to teach you the same.

Physically speaking, I am recovering well from my minor surgery (see previous post). Although this chemo regimen is easier, it still has some side effects, which at times can be challenging emotionally and physically. I can see tiny hairs beginning to grow in my thinned-out eyebrows, which is kind of cool. So for the most part, I am doing well and am being encouraged by my Rescuer and his children.

Love, Sara

Minor surgery & new chemo round is going well

Hey gang –

I had minor surgery today to help with a weird development located around the site of my mastectomy. Basically, my skin is so thin that it tore causing the plastic port from my reconstruction expander to become visible. Also this hole had become a little bit infected. So today the the plastic surgeon removed that port with the hope that the hole will now close. Would you pray that the skin heals, that hole goes away, and that my infection leaves through an antibiotic I’m taking?

Also, I began my new round of weekly chemo last week and this regimen is much better than the last. There have been minimal side effects so far, which is great! I’ll be on this one until mid-August.

Lastly, Chris’ cousin Amanda has been here for a week and will remain for another 2 1/2 weeks. She has been a huge help with the kids and the daily operations of our household. She is a great blessing!

God continues to teach us many things and to provide for our needs. Thanks for checking in with the Sicks gang!

Love, Sara